JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Department of Transportation Director Pete Rahn today welcomed Joe Carmichael of Springfield to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. He was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon and confirmed by the Missouri Senate.

"Mr. Carmichael's legal background and leadership experience will make him a valuable member of the commission," Rahn said. "I'm excited to work with him and look forward to drawing upon his expertise as we make the important decisions that shape the state's transportation system."

Carmichael is president and manager of the Springfield law firm Carmichael & Neal PC. Carmichael will serve a six-year term, which expires March 8, 2015. He replaces Jim Anderson of Springfield, whose term on the commission ended March 1.

"Jim Anderson is a public servant in every sense of the word," Rahn said. "He has served the commission through good times and bad, always providing steady leadership. His positive contributions to Missouri transportation will last well into the future."

Mike Kehoe, Jefferson City, and David Gach, St. Joseph, assumed the positions of commission chair and vice-chair, respectively, at the March 4 commission meeting. Hayti resident Duane Michie's term on the commission also was up March 1. He will continue to serve until a replacement is named. Other commission members are Rudy Farber, Neosho and Grace Nichols, St. Charles.

The six-member bipartisan commission governs the Missouri Department of Transportation. With more than 6,200 employees and an annual budget of about $2 billion, MoDOT builds and maintains the nation's seventh-largest state highway system and supports other transportation modes in Missouri.